IUBMB Journal Highlights | February 2025

We are excited to highlight new research from the IUBMB Journals: IUBMB Life, BioFactors, Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education.

Please also consider submitting your own research to the IUBMB Journals. You can expect to work with distinguished Editorial Board members and benefit from worldwide circulation and readership through our publishing partnership with Wiley. For more information about the journal and submissions, feel free to peruse the IUBMB journals website.

For now, please enjoy highlights of our recent content. Happy reading!

IUBMB Life
New Issue: Volume 77, Issue 1

Issue Highlights (Open Access)

Human disease-causing missense genetic variants are enriched in the evolutionarily ancient domains of the cytosolic aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase proteins

Turvey AK, Cavalcanti ARO. Human disease-causing missense genetic variants are enriched in the evolutionarily ancient domains of the cytosolic aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase proteins. IUBMB Life. 2025; 77(1):e2932.

All life relies on accurate protein synthesis, with aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) playing a key role in charging tRNA with amino acids. Beyond translation, additional domains in eukaryotic aaRSs provide novel functions. Over 50 human diseases are linked to damaging aaRS variants. This study examines the distribution of disease-causing missense variants in human cytosolic aaRSs, hypothesizing they occur more often in ancient domains essential for aminoacylation. Our analysis confirms that pathogenic variants are enriched in these conserved domains, while benign/unknown variants are more common in modern domains. This evolutionary insight may aid in diagnosing aaRS-related genetic disorders.

Ethical bioprospecting and microbial assessments for sustainable solutions to the AMR crisis

Cartledge K, Short FL, Hall A, Lambert K, McDonald MJ, Lithgow T. Ethical bioprospecting and microbial assessments for sustainable solutions to the AMR crisis. IUBMB Life. 2025; 77(1):e2931.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health challenge, recognized by the WHO and World Bank as a crisis affecting health, finance, and agriculture. AMR arises when microbes evolve resistance to antimicrobial treatments, leading to dangerous infections. While scientific advancements, such as bacteriophage therapy, offer potential solutions, tackling AMR requires a global, multi-sectoral approach. Access to biodiversity and traditional knowledge is crucial for developing new therapies, necessitating ethical partnerships. Widespread awareness and behavioral change across diverse societies are essential to implementing sustainable solutions and preventing the further evolution of AMR.

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SPECIAL ISSUES OPEN FOR SUBMISSION

Special Issue on Discovering Novel Druggable Targets Using Integrated Omics Approaches
- Deadline for Submissions: 30 March 2025
Special Issue on Advancing Translation of Cell-Based Therapeutics in Human Disease: Integrating Specific Modes of Action and Emerging Engineering Approaches
- Deadline for Submissions: 31 March 2025
Special Issue on Computational Biology in Identification of Potential Biomarkers for Cancer Immunotherapy
- Deadline for Submissions: 31 July 2025

CALL FOR PAPERS – SPECIAL ISSUES PROPOSALS

IUBMB Life solicits proposals for special issues relevant to the mission of our journal in the field of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Structural Biology and Molecular Medicine and pertinent areas. This is an open call for Special Issue Proposals, and all submissions will be reviewed in a timely manner. We will provide streamlined editorial support and assistance to the special issue guest editors.

Application Process

Prospective guest editor(s) need to complete the Special Issue Proposal Form available online and submit it to adaragshet@wiley.com, together with the CV(s) of the proposed guest editor(s). Please state “IUBMB – SI proposal submission” in the subject line of your submission email.

A special issue proposal should include the following content:

A short title that can clearly describe the scope of special issue;
A short introduction about the significance of the special issue;
Basic information and CV of Lead Guest Editor and Co-Guest Editors;
List of potential authors and their tentative article titles;
The estimated number of submissions;
Proposed timeline.

Please visit the journal homepage for more information.

BioFactors
New Issue: Volume 51, Issue 1

Issue Highlights (Open Access)

Comparative effects of viable Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and its heat-inactivated paraprobiotic in the prevention of high-fat high-fructose diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats

Arellano-García LI, Milton-Laskibar I, Martínez JA, Arán-González M, Portillo MP. Comparative effects of viable Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and its heat-inactivated paraprobiotic in the prevention of high-fat high-fructose diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats. BioFactors. 2025; 51(1):e2116.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a widespread chronic liver condition influenced by gut microbiota dysbiosis. This study compares the effects of viable Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (probiotic) and its heat-inactivated paraprobiotic in a dietary rodent model of NAFLD. Probiotic treatment effectively prevented hepatic lipid accumulation induced by a high-fat, high-fructose diet, as shown by lower TG content, steatosis grade, and inflammation. This was linked to reduced lipid uptake (FATP2 downregulation) and increased liver TG release (MTTP activity). The paraprobiotic had a milder effect, mainly reducing lipid synthesis (SREBP-1c, FAS) and TG assembly (DGAT2, AQP9). These findings highlight distinct mechanisms by which viable and inactivated L. rhamnosus GG influence liver fat accumulation in NAFLD.

Propolis suppresses atopic dermatitis through targeting the MKK4 pathway

Cho Y-R, Han EJ, Heo E, Jayasinghe AMK, Won J, Lee S, et al. Propolis suppresses atopic dermatitis through targeting the MKK4 pathway. BioFactors. 2025; 51(1):e2119.

Propolis, a resinous substance made by bees, is recognized for its health benefits, but its effects on atopic dermatitis (AD) remain unclear. This study explored propolis’s potential in treating AD and identified its active compound and molecular target. In HaCaT keratinocytes, propolis reduced TNF-α-induced IL-6 and IL-8 secretion, lowered chemokine levels (MCP-1, MDC), and restored barrier proteins (filaggrin, involucrin). Similar effects were observed in AD-like human skin, where propolis suppressed AD markers and improved barrier function. In DNCB-induced mice, oral propolis alleviated AD symptoms, reduced scratching and TEWL, and normalized AD-related mRNA levels. These effects were linked to caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), which selectively targeted MKK4. These findings suggest propolis may serve as a functional food for AD treatment.

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BIOFACTORS EDITOR’S CHOICE VIRTUAL ISSUE: HIGHLIGHTING TOP PAPERS FROM 2023-2024

BioFactors has recently launched a virtual issue – Editor’s Choice (2023-2024) – featuring a curated selection of high-interest papers published during 2023-2024.

Explore these noteworthy contributions today!

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CALL FOR PAPERS

Uncovering biomarkers in the tumor-immune microenvironment and analyzing their potential regulatory mechanisms
- Submission deadline: Sunday, 30 March 2025
Unlocking the Secrets of Lipocalins: Navigating Their Role in Cell Communication and Signalling
- Submission deadline: Thursday, 31 July 2025

CALL FOR SPECIAL ISSUE PROPOSALS

BioFactors solicits proposals for special issues relevant to the mission of our journal in the field of biological factors and pertinent areas. This is an open call for Special Issue Proposals, and all submissions will be reviewed in a timely manner. We will provide streamlined editorial support and assistance to the special issue guest editors.

Application Process

Prospective guest editor(s) need to complete the Special Issue Proposal Form (downloadable from the BioFactors’ homepage) and submit it to adaragshet@wiley.com, together with the CV(s) of the proposed guest editor(s). Please state “BIOF – SI proposal submission” in the subject line of your submission email.

A special issue proposal should include the following content:

A short title that can clearly describe the scope of special issue.
A short introduction about the significance of the special issue.
Basic information and CV of Lead Guest Editor and Co-Guest Editors.
List of potential authors and their tentative article titles.
The estimated number of submissions.
Proposed timeline.

Please visit the journal homepage for more information.

Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry
New Issue: Volume 71, Issue 6

Issue Highlights (Open Access)

Plasmodium falciparum cysteine protease Falcipain 3: A potential enzyme for proteolytic processing of histone acetyltransferase PfGCN5

Nagar P, Bhowmick K, Chawla A, Malik MZ, Subbarao N, Kaur I, et al. Plasmodium falciparum cysteine protease Falcipain 3: A potential enzyme for proteolytic processing of histone acetyltransferase PfGCN5. Biotechnol Appl Biochem. 2024; 71: 1304–1315.

In spite of 150 years of studying malaria, the unique features of the malarial parasite, Plasmodium, still perplex researchers. One of the methods by which the parasite manages its gene expression is epigenetic regulation, the champion of which is PfGCN5, an essential enzyme responsible for acetylating histone proteins. PfGCN5 is a ∼170 kDa chromatin-remodeling enzyme that harbors the conserved bromodomain and acetyltransferase domain situated in its C-terminus domain. Although the PfGCN5 proteolytic processing is essential for its activity, the specific protease involved in this process still remains elusive.

Effect of tannic acid on doxorubicin-induced cellular stress: Expression levels of heat shock genes in rat spleen

Kizir D, Karaman M, Demir Y, Ceylan H. Effect of tannic acid on doxorubicin-induced cellular stress: Expression levels of heat shock genes in rat spleen. Biotechnol Appl Biochem. 2024; 71: 1339– 1345.

Doxorubicin (DOX), an anthracycline group antibiotic, has been extensively employed as a potent chemotherapeutic agent for treating solid and hematopoietic tumors in humans. Amid exposure to diverse stress conditions, living organisms swiftly initiate the synthesis of heat shock proteins (HSPs), a set of highly conserved proteins. Tannic acid (TA) has garnered increasing study attention due to its special chemical properties, health benefits, and wide availability. This study’s primary aim is to elucidate the impact of DOX and TA on the expression levels of Hsp90aa1, Hspa1a, Hspa4, and Hspa5 in the spleen tissues of rats. These findings suggest that TA may serve as a protective agent, mitigating the toxic effects of DOX in the rat spleen.

CALL FOR PAPERS

Emerging Techniques and Technologies in Healthcare

The purpose of the special issue is to decipher the importance of ground-breaking techniques incorporated in cellular and molecular biology and embrace AI augmented healthcare delivery system. The convergence of these scientific innovations would help translational research reach new heights in the future generation.

Topics for this call for papers include but are not restricted to:

Importance of Emerging Techniques and Technologies in Health Research
Genetics and Genomics in Healthcare Research
Application of Proteomics in Healthcare Research
Technological Advancements in Cell Biology for Health Research
Artificial Intelligence in Transforming Medicinal Practice
Machine Learning and Deep Learning in Healthcare
Molecular techniques in Disease Detection
Biochemical parameters for disease detection
Infectious Disease and Mitigation
Stem Cell Therapeutics
Ethical Concerns in Artificial Intelligence Mediated Healthcare Delivery

Deadline for Submissions: 15 May 2025

Guest Editors: Dr. Debasmita Bhattacharya, Institute of Engineering and Management, India; Dr. Dibyajit Lahiri, University of Engineering & Mangement, Kolkata, India; Assoc. Prof. Edinur Hisham Atan, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia; Prof. Mojgan Rezvani, Durham College, Canada.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education
New Issue: Volume 53, Issue 1

Issue Highlights (Open Access)

Teaching protein structure and function through molecular visualization

Baland E, Pérez Jimenez L, Mateus A. Teaching protein structure and function through molecular visualization. Biochem Mol Biol Educ. 2025; 53(1): 15–20.

The function of proteins is governed by their three-dimensional structure. This structure is determined by the chemical characteristics and atomic interactions of amino acids. Students of biochemistry, with a particular focus on protein chemistry, benefit from looking at protein structures and understanding how proteins are built and fold. Due to their three-dimensional nature, static two-dimensional representations in textbooks can be limiting to student learning. Here, we developed a series of tutorials that introduce students to molecular graphics software

An undergraduate research experience in CRISPR-Cas9 mediated eukaryotic genome editing to teach fundamental biochemistry techniques

Tonsager AJ, Stargell LA. An undergraduate research experience in CRISPR-Cas9 mediated eukaryotic genome editing to teach fundamental biochemistry techniques. Biochem Mol Biol Educ. 2025; 53(1): 33– 45.

CRISPR-Cas9 technology is an established, powerful tool for genome editing through the ability to target specific DNA sequences of interest for introduction of desired genetic modifications. CRISPR-Cas9 is utilized for a variety of purposes, ranging from a research molecular biology tool to treatment for human diseases. Due to its prominence across a variety of applications, it is critical that undergraduates in the life sciences are educated on CRISPR-Cas9 technology. To this end, we created an intensive eight-week long course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) designed for students to understand CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing and perform it in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

E!Canasta: A card game to teach ATP synthesis and metabolic regulation in biochemistry classes

Thalles Henrique Faria de Souza, Eduardo Figueiredo Peloso, Gabriel Gerber Hornink

Understanding ATP formation is essential for learning metabolism and is central to grasping metabolic processes as a whole. However, due to the high level of abstraction, the number of intermediate substrates, the connections, and integrated regulation, its comprehension often poses a challenge. This and the fact that traditional teaching methods struggle when dealing with highly abstract concepts, game-based strategies present a more concrete and dynamic alternative, which led to the creation of E!Canasta (card game). Developed based on Canasta and adapted in order to improve the learning of concepts, including some of pathway’s regulation and integration, E!Canasta motivates students and promotes engagement in a fun activity. Students assemble a sequence of cards representing the glycolysis, acetyl-CoA, Krebs cycle, and electron transport chain, which correspond to the card suits. Strategically, some of the cards hold special feats that simulate some aspects of metabolic regulation and integration (to give or take away points). At the end of the game, points are added up for sequences and cards with positive or negative effects. The game was played with two classes of students enrolled in biochemistry as part of their graduations (86 players). Student perception on gameplay, motivation and understanding was measured through an anonymous Likert scale questionnaire, with very positive results in all questions. Statistically significant correlations were observed regarding the perceived comprehension of pathways and their regulation, and in linking motivation with a positive gaming experience, showcasing that E!Canasta demonstrates considerable educational potential, along with an enjoyable experience for learning ATP synthesis.

VIRTUAL SPECIAL ISSUE

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Access (DEIJA) in Molecular Life Sciences Education: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education

Daniel R. Dries, Rou-Jia Sung

Did you know? Wiley and Jisc have signed an agreement that allows UK authors to publish Open Access in the IUBMB Journals at no cost to them.

Thanks to a partnership our publisher Wiley has signed with Jisc, certain UK institutions now have full access to journals published by Wiley, including the IUBMB Journals. Further, the partnership enables authors at participating UK institutions to publish open access at no cost to them in the IUBMB Journals. Payment of the associated Article Publication Charges (APC) would be covered via the partnership, and authors will not need to cover the APCs from their own pockets.

Wiley has also signed similar agreements with universities in Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Norway, Hungary, Finland, Sweden, and with the US-based OhioLink And VIVA. A comprehensive list of our funder agreements can be found here.